Yoon Chairs NSC Standing Committee in UK...Restoration of Military Demarcation Line Reconnaissance and Surveillance Activities Against North Korea

Yoon on North Korea's Satellite Launch: "Nuclear and Missile Threat Execution Measures"
Ordered Response Measures According to Legal Punishment
Decided to Suspend Effect of Article 1, Clause 3 of the September 19 Military Agreement

During his state visit to the United Kingdom, President Yoon Suk-yeol criticized North Korea's military reconnaissance satellite launch on the 21st (local time), stating, "Regardless of its success, the purpose is to enhance surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities against us and to improve the performance of intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs), and it is a measure to put North Korea's nuclear and missile threats into action."

President Yoon Suk-yeol, who is on a state visit to the United Kingdom, is presiding over the Standing Committee of the National Security Council (NSC) regarding North Korea's so-called 'military reconnaissance satellite' launch at a hotel in London on the 21st (local time). Provided by the Presidential Office. [Image source=Yonhap News]

On the same day, following North Korea's third launch, President Yoon held an emergency Standing Committee meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) in London, received a situation report from the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and made these remarks, according to the Blue House.

President Yoon instructed, "As discussed in today's NSC Standing Committee meeting, proceed with response measures according to legal procedures," and "Accurately explain to the public and the international community that the NSC's measures are the minimum defensive actions necessary to protect the lives of the people and national security."

The NSC Standing Committee issued a separate statement on the same day, pointing out that North Korea violated UN Security Council Resolutions 1718 and 1874 regardless of the success of the satellite launch, calling it "a direct threat not only to our security but also to world peace." It also strongly criticized North Korea for continuously violating the July 4 South-North Joint Statement, the South-North Basic Agreement, the June 15 Joint Declaration, the October 4 Declaration, and the September 19 Military Agreement, which had been agreed upon by both Koreas.

The NSC Standing Committee particularly stated, "Due to the constraints of the September 19 Military Agreement, our security posture in the border areas has become more vulnerable," and announced, "The government will pursue the suspension of the effect of Article 1, Paragraph 3 of the September 19 Military Agreement." It also declared the restoration of reconnaissance and surveillance activities against North Korea around the Military Demarcation Line (MDL) that had been previously suspended. Article 1, Paragraph 3 of the agreement establishes a no-fly zone for all types of aircraft over the MDL airspace. Balloons are prohibited from being launched within 25 km of the MDL. The term 'balloon' specified in the military agreement refers to reconnaissance tools used for military purposes.

The NSC Standing Committee explained, "This measure will significantly enhance our military's ability to identify North Korean threat targets and improve response posture," adding, "It is the minimum defensive measure to protect the safety of residents of the five West Sea islands such as Yeonpyeongdo and Baengnyeongdo, as well as the lives and safety of 50 million citizens." It emphasized, "This is a legitimate measure to protect our security against North Korea's continuous violations of the September 19 Military Agreement, nuclear and missile threats, and various provocations."

At this emergency NSC Standing Committee meeting, National Security Office Director Cho Tae-yong, Foreign Minister Park Jin, and NSC Secretary-General Kim Tae-hyo (1st Deputy Director of the National Security Office) participated via video conference from the UK. At the National Crisis Management Center, Minister of Unification Kim Young-ho, Minister of National Defense Shin Won-sik, Director of the National Intelligence Service Kim Gyu-hyun, Director of the Office for Government Policy Coordination Bang Ki-seon, 2nd Deputy Director of the National Security Office In Sung-hwan, and 1st Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Jang Ho-jin were present.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.